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The Annual Christmas Gift Ideas thread

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

It's been a busy fall and while Christmas is low on my priorities at the moment, I will find my christmas spirit and and I always trust you all to have great gift ideas.

So let's share our finds and ideas.

I'll start: The only thing I have purchased (ordered, really) is a MA Hadley personalized cow cereal bowl for my cow-obsessed grandson. Hope it makes it in time for Christmas!



I could definitely use ideas for the rest of my family (ages 23-90).

Comments (95)

  • 2 years ago

    I am looking for small gifts for our trip, and came across this.




    Looking for a cheaper version, eg



    Both versions avail in b and w

  • 2 years ago

    Just popping in every time I think of a good gift. My DS lives in a hot climate and is a sweater. (Someone who sweats, not a... ok you probably figured that out.) For his summer bday, one of the gifts I gave him was a bamboo shirt. He loves it. So I went back to Free Fly and got him a long-sleeved one, plus a pair of pants.


    Earlier I mentioned that DH was considering a "guys' weekend" for him and our 2 DS. He has decided on Asheville. So he will make up a homemade coupon for an all expenses paid weekend, date TBD. They'll have a great time -- Asheville has a lot of things that all 3 of them enjoy, including breweries -- and it will actually be the first time they have gone away, just the three of them, so should be a nice bonding experience.

  • 2 years ago

    Sueb20, DSIL is a sweater too. He loves Rhoback shirts and quarter zips. They are having a 20% off sale right now…if you need more for your DS.


    Asheville also has a fairly lively music scene. A close friend’s husband is a musician who performs at some of the venues in town. If your guys would like to hear some music, let me know and I’ll get the name of some of the places she would recommend.

  • 2 years ago

    Some good ideas here. In recent years my shopping list has gotten much shorter. My hardest is always my MIL. My siblings and I have started giving smaller gifts. None of us need anything and it gets to the point where you can't even think of something you want. I have a couple of small things for the Mr. and really have no clue what to get him. Most of my friends (and me too) have reached the point where we do not buy gifts for each other any more. We prefer to get together and celebrate the season. I really have no good gift ideas to contribute to this thread! The best idea I have come up with this year is a camping gift certificate at a certain state park for my sister and her husband (they live in Charleston but have a state park in TN they love to camp in). I didn't realize there was such a thing, but that will be good for them.


    Sue, Asheville will be a fun weekend. We are just a couple of hours from there (over the mountains) and are there at least a couple of times a year.


    I am definitely not a scrooge, but I really do not like amaryllis or paper whites!! I do have an antique urn on our hearth that is perfect for a large poinsettia. I love the pink and creamy colored ones - no red!! Hee!!

  • 2 years ago

    DH and I have been to Asheville together once, and I was just there on my own last month. Such a fun city!

  • 2 years ago

    Sueb, I must say that I’m impressed that you didn’t get involved in the planning for your husband & sons. If you did, don’t disillusion me. Too often, my female friends feel the need to control all family events. Their husbands get the glory but no work, and their kids don’t develop skills.


  • 2 years ago

    Sueb, my DH is a sweater, too. A few years ago my brother shared a discovery with him: Uniqlo Airism tees. DH is now a fan and happy to get one for birthdays and Christmas. He can even wear it under a shirt and not get hot.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.trueclassictees.com/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwj2nv-V5cGCAxW6MlkFHebaAD4QFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2fZHGftP3pjIvVwUjAh4SH

    DH hates shopping and is fussy with what he wears. He found this brand and now has a few t-shirts.I just bought them for my SIL.

  • 2 years ago

    I have the Uniqlo Airism pajamas and love them. Just bought 2 more pair on a recent sale.

  • 2 years ago

    ^^^^^lascatx -- I ordered those rolling pins from Ukraine last year for my nieces! They are beautifully made, and were well received. I especially liked the fact that the company is small and donated a portion of their profits to directly help their fellow citizens. Great gift.

  • 2 years ago

    I usually jump to the end of an established thread to read new comments from most recent backwards. I had a few moments of confusion and then a chuckle reading about your sweater husbands. i was thinking cozy version of a party doll, lol !

  • 2 years ago

    I am following along here, since I am clueless this year about what to buy. The neighbors for example. The same ones for 30 years, so I am running out of ideas. We are friendly, as in bringing in packages when they are out of town, but not close. I am usually trying to get something useful that they could also easily regift if they don’t like it. I wouldn’t be offended. A couple of years ago, I gave them a 2 pack of LED lanterns that also have a magnetic base. Thought they would come in handy for a power outage. We have them, and one of them hung on a hook in the ceiling works well enough for a big room to not trip over a dog in the dark. I was really happy to see the neighbors actually using them when going to the mailbox after dark and such. But what about this year? Not even starting on the family yet. Everybody really has everything they need by now. But it’s still expected to have around 3 presents for each of the 10 people. Maybe to make the tree look good? Wish I could get them to agree to downsize it all.

  • 2 years ago

    My favorite gift for neighbors is the huge poinsettia plant from Costco. They aren’t expensive and can be planted or discarded after the holidays.

  • 2 years ago

    I used to buy a lot of trinkety junk for DH’s family. And get a lot of trinkety junk in return. Finally one year, I sucked it up and sent an email to everyone asking them not to send us anything because we don’t need it and suggesting that we all donate to the children’s hospital instead. I think everyone breathed a sigh relief and that is what we’ve done ever since.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    As far as physical items go - DH and I do not need anything and I can't even think of something I want. We have just about all we need or desire. We tell our adult kids that every year and yet they insist on gifting. I know how they feel because I want to give gifts too - I just don't need to get any.

    A few years back DS suggested Elfster for the adults. It is similar to an online Secret Santa. Except for one big difference - when you sign up you also have to list gifts that you might like with a link to the item if possible. Names are drawn so you only gift the person whose name you have. We insisted on a $50 limit to keep cost down for our adult kids.

    None of us need any stuff. At least with Elfster you know you're giving something they can use.

    My grand daughters get so many gifts from the extended family that it's absurd. For 2 grand daughters (ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/2) we try to give an enrichment activity. Last year we gave the sisters swimming lessons, gymnastics and a year's pass to the Aquarium. This year it will be dance, art, music and the Zoo. We'll buy an outfit and a few crafts to wrap for under the tree - this year it will be ballet shoes, leotards and a tutu, and a toy musical instrument - and books, always books. The other grand daughter who is only 2 will probably get clothes which she needs, books and a Kiwi membership which is a subscription service for a monthly activity and craft box.

  • 2 years ago

    I know a lot of people aren't into the whole gift giving thing ... but it was something that gave my dad such joy and it passed to some (not all) of us. I love finding that perfect special gift for someone. As long as the kids love it, I will continue ...


  • 2 years ago

    Had lunch with our daughters yesterday and they are on board with no gifts- we are travelling. ive already gotten them the Emma Shipley candles. Getting each kid a small box of gourmet candy too. Done!

  • 2 years ago

    Jealous!

  • 2 years ago

    I kind of wish one of my grandchildren used car fresheners. Actually happy that they don’t. A car freshener with my face would thrill them, I’m sure. lol


    https://www.instafreshener.com/collections/air-fresheners/products/custom-shape-air-freshener










  • 2 years ago

    Ohhhh thank you, Maddielee! Perfect stocking item for DH!

  • 2 years ago

    I usually put a "toy" in my daughters' SO's stockings - kind of a joke but they get kick out of them and end up playing with them. This year I ordered these Magic Hover Balls. They often go out after dinner and throw a ball around so I thought they could have some fun with these. Of course the one who is an engineer will probably have to figure out the inner workings of it first!

    Magic Hover Balls

  • 2 years ago

    @maddielee. I'm going to get one for my husband with my face and a speech bubble that says "How fast are you going?" or "Your turn signal is still on!"

  • 2 years ago

    I think one with a pet's face would be super cute.

  • 2 years ago

    I found this by accident one day and made sure to write it down for a gift for DS & family. I never knew Land O Lakes made cocoa, especially this flavor. Will be buying two. ;)

    Over 17,000 4.5 star ratings.




  • 2 years ago

    Stocking Stuffer Idea:

    On a whim, I bought these furry hair clips thinking I'd use them to pull my hair back to wash my face. They were cheap enough so what the heck? I had no idea I'd actually wear them as an intentional accessory!

    I LOVE them .. they're fun and add a little "snow bunny" a simple jeans and sweater outfit lol. The cream color is a little more natural looking.. not so yellow. It's the one I wear most.




  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    This gift box might be fun for someone you are giving cash to



    When they open the box cubes and the money fly out.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    My favorite gift is these bowl holders for hot bowls or small plates. They are microwave safe and you can get them on esty in many different fabrics. They are also very inexpensive, under $10. Here’s mine.


  • last year

    @jab60 I'm going to make those microwave bowl cozies for my daughters and their SO's. They all often eat at their coffee tables as they don't have kids and don't feel the need to sit at the table to eat. Just need to source the 100% cotton batting. I'm also making them both Molly Baz style cross over aprons.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Nekotish Great for eating chili while watching football, ect etc!

  • last year

    If you have an artsy teenager I recommend these books:


    The Journey is the Destination, by Dan Eldon. A selection of over 200 pages from the journals of photojournalist Dan Eldon, it is the legacy of a young artist killed just as his creative powers were beginning to be recognized by himself and others.


    Beautiful Oops, by Barney Salzberg. This interactive book demonstrates how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. Unique in every respect, this book is full of pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and more, each demonstrating how blunders can become wonders.

  • last year

    Dropping in to say that my child's school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair! You would not believe how many people have fond memories of their school book fairs and would just loooooove a glitter pen--or a Michael Jordan poster.


    Proceeds benefit the school, so if you would like to make someone's day with a YA graphic novel/science facts book/character eraser, you can DM me and I will send you our school's online book fair link.


    Your local schools may also be hosting book fairs--worth checking out!

  • last year

    For the Swifties in your life. Note: delivery if purchased on Amaz— isn’t til January. The 5 copies I ordered (for fans that are college students) from Barnes & Noble are showing ’have been shipped’.





    https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taylor-swift-wendy-loggia/1142194709?ean=9780593566725


  • last year

    The personalized "Where are you?" book looks really interesting for my niece and nephew. Thanks for sharing that.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Prank boxes for gifts:

    https://pranko.com/collections/prank-packs

    .

    ETA:

    honibaker

    23 days ago

    For my neighbors who love RV camping:

    .

    Just ordered one for friends of ours, thank you!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I had the grands (7, 7, and 4) draw self-portraits. They are going on the Divvy-Up Socks that I buy for their dad each year (we put socks in the stockings). They are wild. He will love them!







  • last year

    LOL Jilly... and what fun, Bbstx! Great idea!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Maddielie - I was going to order the Taylor Swift book on B&N, but it showed a delivery date of December 27th. I found it on Walmart and I'm supposed to have it by Wednesday. I did pay more for shipping than the book though.

  • last year

    I need to buy a man bracelet and I'd like to keep it under $25. Any ideas?

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    One of my local stores has great mens bracelets in leather and silver -- they are $40 but I would bet you could find the same thing for less. It is sterling silver but thin and light which keeps the cost down, I guess (and also the weight). Bonus, it has a magnetic closure which i love.

    They are for men-- but I got one for myself (i do not have dainty small wrists)



    I think the key to staying in the $25 range is to look at a leather/metal combo. They make many styles.

    With all the sales going on, I would try Macys, Saksofffifth and your local stores.

  • last year

    Not sure what style you are looking for but here are a few not too far over your budget .. $29 and $39 left to right (Nordstrom).


    In a slightly higher price range (sharing in case someone else is looking), I got the one below for my nephew-- he specifically asked for another from the designer who made the one I gave him last year. I was really pleased with both of them. They were both about $75.


    This year's


    last year's (also available at Sundance-- and i think they still have 30% off everything?)


  • last year

    Okay. I'm laughing at local stores as I don't have any unless grocery stores count and then we're not talking whole foods or trader Joe's!

  • last year

    LOL sorry ... ok, definitely check out Nordstrom Rack. I didn't snap any photos because I don't know the style you are looking for ... but there are MANY in your price range and a wide variety of styles. At least the ones that caught my eye were originally sold over $100 and greatly reduced.

  • last year

    Oh I like Nordstrom rack and I forget about it a lot! Thank you!

  • last year

    If you need an overpriced gift for a foodie, they may know of Blue Hill. I've not bought products from them but I have dined there a few times and it is world class.


    https://bluehillmarket.com/gifts/gift-sets/holiday-box

  • last year

    Nice gift boxes ... I almost added one of the other boxes to my cart but then I remembered I am DONE shopping lol.

  • last year

    I ended up ordering one of the Wonderbly books for my nephew and niece. I opted to get the one that they offer with multiple characters so they can look at the book together. I know they love to be read to together and look at books together, so this one seemed fun for now. If they like it, I may end up buying each of them an individual character book in the future.



    Thank you for the suggestion! I hope they like it.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Do you need an inexpensive gift for someone you don't know well?

    Maybe a Secret Santa gift at work, or a hostess gift?

    I saw this glittered sleigh today at Walmart. It's filled with Ghirardelli chocolate samples, and I was surprised how pretty it is...for $15!

    The sleigh is solid and metal, could be used for Christmas decor.



  • last year

    Isnt this cute?





  • last year

    For AFOLS: customizable laptop cover:




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